Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Henry Capehart

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Arlington National Cemetery
1-140-A&B

BORN:March 18, 1825 at Johnstown, PA

Entered Service in the US
Army from Bridgport, OH

Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Civil War For heroism on May 22,
1864 at Greenbriar River, WV

DIED:April
15, 1895 at the age of 70

On May 22, 1864,
General Sherman's Army began crossing the Greenbriar River in West
Virginia under a deadly hail of fire from rebel sharpshooters.
While crossing below the falls, Private Watson Karr was swept from
the saddle by the current and was in danger of drowning. Colonel
Henry Capehart, an excellent horseman by all accounts, dove into
the swift current on his horse, both going under water twice but
emerging on the raging surface as Colonel Capehart grasped his
mount's mane in one hand and the pommel of the saddle in the
other. "When I came up a second time," he recalled, I
found I was close to Karr and also that Mini balls were
uncomfortably numerous. I reached out and grasped him, drew him
across my mare's neck, and turned her head towards the south
shore. The north bank was quite near to us, but so rocky and
precipitous, with heavy current fretting against us, that I had no
alternative but to swim my mare to the south side. Fortunately, I
struck a bar and drew my man along until we stood upon firm
ground, where we were a little under cover from the enemy's fire
and could take a much needed rest." Colonel Capehart was
awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in rescuing a drowning
man of his command.